Chapter 490: The Hardship of the Chosen, Immeasurable's Corruption |
Su Chen was truly surprised. For such a major event, he had thought that the various pillars would at least discuss it carefully and wait for a while before proceeding.
He didn't expect it to be put on the agenda after only two months.
"It seems that recognitions will be conducted first, and then it will progress slowly." Chu Lingyuan finally had time to sit down and lowered his voice: "According to familiar Morning Stars, it seems that several Radiant Suns issued the order together."
"Those few have returned?" Su Chen's heart stirred.
"Mm, I don't know if they have returned, but it is indeed their order..." Chu Lingyuan hesitated and said, "It seems that the position of the Chosen for the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith is not only related to which faction will gain a Radiant Sun, but also seems to be related to some rebuilding of the Abyssal Void..."
"Rebuilding the Abyssal Void?" Su Chen was taken aback. This was truly his first time hearing this news. He couldn't help but ask: "Senior Brother, where did you hear this from?"
"Ni Zhan from Jade Sea Heaven said it, and it's nine times out of ten true. Before this Abyssal Domain, there was actually a boundless and terrifying faction." Chu Lingyuan couldn't help but click his tongue as he spoke.
He had always been managing various affairs of the Bronze Sect and truly hadn't consulted such history. Only after hearing about this from Ni Zhan did he find time to look it up.
"Rebuilding the Abyssal Void..." Su Chen muttered, quite astonished. He also didn't know what kind of rebuilding method it would be.
Otherwise, there would be no need for a Chosen of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith. It probably involved some secrets.
He asked Chu Lingyuan, but the other party shook his head: "Ni Zhan doesn't know much either. He only said that to rebuild the Abyssal Void, none of the Six Pillars can be missing."
As expected, it's not a simple alliance of factions... Su Chen understood. Seeing that Chu Lingyuan didn't know much either, he brought the topic back: "Where are we gathering?"
"At the Heavenly Gate." Chu Lingyuan said, "The High Three Heavens..."
Mentioning this proxy name, he obviously paused, somewhat unaccustomed, and then continued: "The news given by the High Three Heavens is that all those with True Radiance talent within the heavens who meet the age requirements can go, but it is not mandatory."
"Tsk..." Su Chen estimated briefly and couldn't help but click his tongue: "Then this number probably won't be small."
"This is just High Firmament's side. Excluding the rather special Longevity Pillar, the number of personnel in the other three pillars is also quite large."
Chu Lingyuan smiled bitterly, "Moreover, the age limit is five hundred years old. The number of Morning Stars is also quite large. I really don't know what kind of brilliance the person who finally becomes the Chosen must have to stand out."
His previous thought of Su Chen becoming the Chosen of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith was somewhat of a flight of fancy.
If it only involved the 8th-Tier, it would be fine, but involving Morning Stars made it completely different.
Su Chen glanced at him and shook his head: "In that case, Senior Brother, I won't talk with you anymore. I'll head over first."
"Mm." Chu Lingyuan nodded, then repeatedly exhorted: "We don't know what the situation is there. In the past, when the Morning Star Spirits made their selections, there were often deaths, let alone a Radiant Sun. You must remember absolutely not to be competitive."
"Don't worry." Su Chen indicated his understanding. He exited the hall door with Chu Lingyuan, summoned a rainbow bridge, and arrived at the Heavenly Gate in a single step.
There weren't many people here, only sparsely scattered two or three familiar faces who ranked high on the Lingxiao Hidden Star Ranking. After exchanging greetings, no one spoke.
The light of the rainbow bridge flashed from time to time, and the number of people gradually increased.
"Su Chen."
Just as he stood still, Su Chen heard someone calling him. Turning his head to look, it was Zhong Yue approaching him, looking quite familiar with him, "You arrived quite fast."
Su Chen didn't think he was very familiar with him, but he still nodded in response: "I came as soon as I received the notification. Since it involves the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith, I dare not be negligent."
"Indeed." Zhong Yue nodded, deeply convinced, but was somewhat helpless: "The starting time this time is too fast. I only have the True Radiance talent and haven't transformed into an Azure Deity yet. Fortunately, it's just to obtain recognition; otherwise, I would truly regret it for the rest of my life."
He seemed to think he had a good relationship with Su Chen, casually speaking such somewhat sensitive words.
Since he brought it up, Su Chen might as well ask: "How long until Senior Brother Zhong is ready?"
"That's really hard to say." Zhong Yue was vague, then shifted the topic to Su Chen, "Aren't you preparing for the Azure Deity Metamorphosis?"
"Although True Radiance is enough to obtain the qualification of Three Dragon Phantoms, throughout history, there has never been a True Radiance who became the Radiant Sun Elect."
"There's no rush for this." Su Chen was equally vague. Zhong Yue then said generously: "If you are ready to start, you can come ask me if there's anything you don't understand. The late-stage materials are precious, but I have stored quite a few early-stage materials."
Why is this guy so enthusiastic? Could it be he wants me to draw fire for him?
Su Chen pondered inwardly, but on the surface, he smiled bitterly: "Bronze Heaven lacks foundation; I'm afraid it will be difficult to undergo the Metamorphosis."
The two chatted half-heartedly, presenting a harmonious scene.
A moment later, Su Chen muttered slightly, "Senior Brother Zhong Yue, why are there far fewer people coming than I imagined."
"Our High Firmament should have quite a few True Radiances under five hundred years old, right?"
The interior of the Bronze Palace didn't have that many twists and turns for the time being. He had arrived quite early, but after waiting here for a while, there were only about a dozen people present in total.
"Haha..." Zhong Yue laughed. "There are indeed quite a few True Radiances under five hundred years old, but that's the minimum age limit for a Radiant Sun. In reality, after four hundred years old, except for Azure Deities, it's very difficult to obtain the qualification of Three Dragon Phantoms."
"Moreover, this time it involves the Five Pillars. When the Chosen is truly born, who knows how many years it will take. Perhaps they will naturally lose their qualifications, wasting their time for nothing."
Su Chen understood. He was still too young and not accustomed to thinking about problems with a mindset of years or decades.
After four hundred years of age, one was indeed too old, and the uncertain factors were too high.
Zhong Yue continued: "As for 9th-tier Class Users, even Azure Deities cannot obtain any recognition."
"Oh? Such a thing?" Su Chen was surprised; he truly didn't know this.
Zhong Yue explained: "Although the 9th-tier can still undergo Metamorphosis, in the eyes of those professional spiritualities, it is equivalent to cutting off one's own future path. They won't give any favorable consideration."
Su Chen looked thoughtful.
Finally, Zhong Yue said with some disdain: "Of course, there are also some guys who are too cowardly. They think they have no chance, so rather than giving themselves hope, it's better to extract themselves from the very beginning."
Su Chen nodded slowly. In the eyes of others, talent was an insurmountable chasm. Except for a very few special circumstances, almost no one could strike against the heavens.
This time, not only was there the hurdle of talent, but also the existence of Morning Stars. Instead of wasting time, it was better to properly temper themselves.
"Therefore, adding up various factors, the number of people truly willing to participate in the screening is not that many."
Su Chen understood and then asked: "Does Senior Brother Zhong know the specific screening method? We can't really compete on the same stage as Morning Stars, right?"
"I don't know." Zhong Yue shook his head. "The specific situation will probably be announced later."
Su Chen was surprised. Given Zhong Yue's background, he should more or less know some information.
"Heh..."
Suddenly, Su Chen heard Zhong Yue sneer, his gaze falling on three people who had just descended via a rainbow bridge.
The two on the left and right were none other than Tong Zhuo and Du Yunfei. The person in the middle was quite thin, with narrow shoulders and a long waist, sharp eyebrows, slightly high cheekbones, and looked like he wasn't easy to get along with.
He exuded an aura that made Su Chen feel a sense of trepidation.
A Morning Star... Su Chen actually recognized the other party: Qin Guanyu, an Azure Deity talent possessor from Jade Firmament Heaven, who had already advanced to Morning Star nearly two hundred years ago.
He was estimated to be the only Azure Deity talent possessor under five hundred years old in High Firmament.
"Senior Brother Qin is here..." As soon as he arrived, the two Morning Stars who had already arrived paid their respects, and the slightly more senior 8th-tiers also followed suit.
Even Zhong Yue seemed somewhat displeased, but he held his temper and called out "Senior Brother Qin." Su Chen also followed suit.
Facing the crowd gathering around him, Qin Guanyu's expression was indifferent. His gaze fell squarely on Su Chen. "Su Chen?"
Su Chen's eyes flickered, and he said naturally: "What instructions does Senior Brother Qin have?"
Qin Guanyu sized him up and down and nodded: "Indeed excessively young. Since you are going this time, do not ruin the reputation of our High Firmament."
"I will do my best." Su Chen nodded.
While they were speaking, several more Morning Stars arrived. Qin Guanyu walked straight past and stood to the side, ignoring everyone.
Tong Zhuo, however, greeted Su Chen.
Qin Guanyu... A virtual screen appeared before Su Chen, and he quickly found this person on the Abyssal Star Ranking.
"1829... Quenched four Morning Fires..." Su Chen's brow couldn't help but furrow. With this person's talent and resources, having advanced for nearly two hundred years, he had only quenched four Morning Fires?
This rate was far lower than Su Chen imagined. He had thought this guy would have at least five or six.
"Didn't they say Morning Star Embers could assist in tempering Morning Flames? How can it still be so slow?" Su Chen pondered inwardly. "Tsk, if Morning Fire couldn't also increase lifespan, he would probably be dead before quenching twelve."
As time passed, the light of the rainbow bridges gradually grew sparse. After waiting for more than half an hour, Su Chen was basically certain that no one else was coming.
"Nine 8th-tiers, six Morning Stars..." Su Chen glanced around. Even though Zhong Yue had explained the reasons, Su Chen still felt this number was far too small.
"Three of the top ten on the Star Potential Ranking didn't even come, yet there's a little guy ranked over ten who came to join the fun..."
Zhong Yue wasn't too surprised, muttering: "Seven of the top ten actually came; they are quite confident."
Everyone wanted to be the Chosen, but the difficulty involved was indeed not something confidence could surmount.
Even he, with the goal of becoming the Chosen, actually felt somewhat uncertain deep down.
"It seems this is everyone." Suddenly, a resonant voice emerged. Unknown when, Tang Huai had already appeared before the crowd.
For such a major event, naturally, this Heaven Lord of Upper Firmament was leading the team.
"(Master) Heaven Lord Tang..." The crowd said in unison.
"Mm." Tang Huai nodded. His gaze swept over the crowd, and he sighed: "The number of people is fewer than I imagined."
Competing to be the Chosen required extremely strong subjective initiative. Those who didn't come were either fearful or believed it was impossible for them. This wasn't something a direct order could force.
"Quality over quantity." Qin Guanyu said indifferently. "Most people were originally just going to be foils anyway."
Tang Huai naturally understood, but even if they couldn't succeed, lacking even the courage to try was somewhat disappointing. However, he didn't say much, saying in a deep voice: "We won't wait anymore. Let's go."
As his voice fell, the Heavenly Gate behind him gradually lit up.
Deep within the Nether Realm, the Immeasurable Buddha had an anxious expression, holding a withered branch and muttering incantations.
After a long time, the surrounding mist surged, and a hunched figure walked out, trailing ripples behind him. His gaze fell on the Immeasurable Buddha, clearly sensing the other party's anxiety, unease, and trepidation.
"Little monk..." Old Gou shook his grey-white sleeves and said unhurriedly: "You seem very anxious. Is it because of the matter with Taixuan Hong?"
As a Final Ruin, he naturally already knew about this matter, which wasn't considered a secret in the Abyssal Domain.
"However, the agreement between us cannot be voided. That little guy appearing on his own is his own business." Old Gou emphasized.
The Immeasurable Buddha's face showed no surprise. He tossed the withered branch in his hand, his expression changing several times. Finally, he pressed his hands together, bowed, and said: "Old Gou, please help me with the Corruption."
"Cor... ruption?" Old Gou's expression paused, seemingly somewhat surprised. His eyes flickered, and he chuckled: "Although that little guy Taixuan Hong appeared on his own, ruining your plan, and you still owe me thirty thousand Faith Essence."
"But your Buddha Land is naturally skilled at extracting Faith Essence. It's only fifty thousand portions. Would the World-Honored One really skin you alive over this?"
The Immeasurable Buddha revealed a bitter smile and said: "Actually, I had already discovered the place where the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith perished long ago. It's just that because of those Radiant Moons from the Dust Star Sea, I harbored selfish motives and didn't report it to the World-Honored One immediately."
"You discovered it long ago?" Old Gou was slightly startled, then burst into loud laughter. "I thought the World-Honored One had become increasingly tyrannical. Now it seems the older people get, the more compassionate they become. He actually didn't refine you into lamp oil on the spot."
"No wonder, no wonder..." Old Gou seemed to have figured out the cause and effect. "Taixuan Hong was your only chance to atone for your sins, but now that he jumped out himself, you only have a dead end left."
"Old Gou sees clearly." The Immeasurable Buddha said in a low voice.
"But you should know, Corruption requires the cooperation of spirituality. The Nether Realm will not accept just a lifeform alone." Old Gou emphasized.
"I naturally know." The Immeasurable Buddha nodded. The center of his brow glowed, and a baby-like small Buddha emerged, its head lowered and eyes downcast. Its skin was brilliant gold, and a golden dragon phantom coiled around it.
"Vajra Buddha of Breaking Obsession!" Old Gou's eyes shone brightly, becoming even more astonished. "You little monk really have some tricks, actually managing to steal the spirituality out. Since Baita's corruption, the World-Honored One has been extremely strict in guarding the spirituality."
The Immeasurable Buddha explained: "I took advantage of the World-Honored One's absence and used some methods, but I won't be able to hide it for too long."
Old Gou had already reached out to take the Radiant Moon Essence, but he said: "Your Buddha Land's corruption is the most troublesome. The World-Honored One is petty. If I truly accept you, I'm afraid he will fight me to the death."
"You don't know how many generations of World-Honored Ones you've lived through. Would you be afraid?" The Immeasurable Buddha asked in return.
"Haha..." Old Gou laughed involuntarily. "You little monk... The World-Honored One ruined a major matter of mine last time. I don't mind causing him some trouble..."
As his voice fell, Old Gou's gaze hardened slightly. He spat out a stream of dense black liquid. It wasn't an ordinary substance; it gleamed with a dark luster. As it flowed, it seemed as if countless microscopic organisms were faintly visible beneath the surface, emitting a terrifying aura.
Like a living creature, it wrapped around the Radiant Moon Essence. The small Buddha seemed to be jolted awake from its slumber. Its face was full of shock and anger. It abruptly raised its tiny palm, overflowing with golden light, attempting to swat away the surging black tide.
However, the moment the two came into contact, the black liquid suddenly expanded, surging and devouring. Inch by inch, it submerged its eyebrows, eyes, and nose, until it completely covered that shocked and angry little face.
The Immeasurable Buddha's heart clenched. He had a direct sensation of his spirituality being polluted.
But immediately after, the little Buddha wrapped in the black liquid suddenly charged towards him. Startled, the Immeasurable Buddha forcefully suppressed the urge to resist.
Boom!
The two collided, but merged into one as if water and milk blending together. The black mist suddenly exploded, and faint wails could be heard, tearing and low-growling. The black mist expanded at extreme speed, transforming into a boundless massive vortex in the blink of an eye, continuously tearing at the surrounding Nether Mist.
Old Gou nodded in satisfaction. "This kind of voluntary corruption is indeed much simpler."
Unknown how much time had passed, the thick mist slowly receded. The Immeasurable Buddha had already disappeared, replaced by a bare-chested figure. Its skin was neither gold nor iron, but possessed a peculiar grey-gold luster, with light patterns faintly circulating within the gloom.
He looked countless times younger. The ordination scars on top of his head had turned a profound black, and his muscles were knotted like the gnarled roots of an ancient tree.
His eyes widened like round mirrors, and deep within his pupils, two crimson cracks slithered like snakes. He pressed his hands together and said in a low voice: "Only after shedding the shackles on my body do I know that I am me."
"Immeasurable has already perished; I am now Wushi!"
A deceptive smile suddenly appeared on his devout face. "I really want to see the expression on the World-Honored One's face right now."
"There will be an opportunity..." Grey-white substances faintly surfaced around Old Gou, like stalactites, surging into his body. After a long time, he slowly exhaled. "An intoxicating feeling. Too bad it's only a Radiant Moon..."
He shook his head, looked up at Wushi, and asked directly: "What stage has the Five Pillars' plan to rebuild the Abyssal Void reached?"
Wushi didn't hesitate and directly replied: "They have already found the Abyss Pillar. They are only waiting for the Chosen of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith to be born."
"They are moving quite fast." Old Gou pondered. "Since the Mist-Fall Calamity, we were forced to reach an agreement with those few Radiant Suns and cannot lay hands on the Abyssal Domain. You understand this matter best. I have a task for you."
"To stop them from rebuilding the Abyssal Void?" Wushi inquired.
"Wrong..." A voice came, but it wasn't from Old Gou. Wushi frowned and looked over, looking astonished. The layers of mist parted, and a figure emerged.
"It's you?"
"Martial Nephew, long time no see." Black patterns intertwined on the surface of the newcomer's body, forming a vertical pupil on top of his head. It was none other than Heituo.
"You also... submitted to Old Gou?" Wushi said in surprise.
The subordinate relationship between a Final Ruin and a Great Eldritch God wasn't as simple as a verbal agreement.
He was corrupted by Old Gou, so he was bound to Old Gou.
Heituo and the others were corrupted by Nine Eyes. After Nine Eyes died, they lost the Final Ruin they were loyal to.
Without the benefit of a corrupted professional spirituality, other Final Ruins rarely accepted foreign Great Eldritch Gods, basically just eating them.
"Having received Old Gou's grace, I naturally must serve him." Heituo said indifferently.
Old Gou also said, "Heituo is right. There is no need to stop the reforging of the Abyssal Void. It doesn't benefit us if the things beneath the Primordial Return-to-Void Realm emerge."
"Moreover, if the Abyssal Void is rebuilt and the Abyssal Domain disappears, the agreement binding us will naturally disappear as well."
Wushi nodded, listening as Old Gou said: "What I want you to do is another matter. Harvesting Source Fire..."